Paralegal Salary in Lima, OH: $49,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lima, OH earns a median $49,830/year (≈ $23.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $55,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.3% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, Ohio, paralegal salaries reflect the structural divides of the legal market. The projected median annual salary for paralegals stands at $49,830, which is about 23.45% lower than the national median of $65,097. With a salary range from $39,499 at the 10th percentile to $70,583 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate varying income potential based on factors such as firm size and specialization. Larger BigLaw firms tend to compensate at the higher end of the scale, while mid-size and small firms may offer more modest salaries. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlight this trend, suggesting that while opportunities exist, the pay in Lima may not align with national averages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,499 | $18.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,907 | $19.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,545 | $28.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,583 | $33.93 |
Median Salary Position
23.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,084 (2026 est.). At $49,830, the local median is 23.45% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lima Paralegal Pay Compares
Lima median: $49,830/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,254 | -17.30% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -23.45% less |
Paralegals in Lima, OH earn a median of $49,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.45% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 17.30% below the Ohio state average of $60,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $49,830 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,240
2025 BLS Actual
$48,140
2026 Current Est.
$49,830
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,748 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 40.6% from $34,240 (2019) to $48,140 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,339 (50.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,499 – $40,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,907 – $49,830 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,830 – $58,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,545 – $70,583 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lima
Currently, there are approximately 30 paralegals employed in Lima, OH, operating within a cost-of-living index of 89.669, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power, making the local paralegal pay more competitive in context. Employers in Lima include various law firms, in-house corporate departments, and public sector offices, with generally better salaries found in corporate legal positions versus traditional law firms. The disparity in compensation often results from firm tier distinctions and areas of expertise. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Lima, pursuing certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA and specializing in high-demand areas such as e-discovery can significantly improve job prospects and salary expectations.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,140 for paralegalsin the Lima metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov